Received PhD from La Trobe University studying the genetics of bacterial conjugation and undertook post-doctoral training at the Royal Children's Hospital investigating the genetic epidemiology of gastroenteritis viruses, particularly rotavirus and astrovirus.

Research interests include food microbiology, identification of bio-active compounds from medicinal plants, fungi and biowaste, environmental microbiology, nanotechnology and virology.

Involved in teaching in the areas of microbiology, biotechnology, biochemistry and molecular biology.

Member of the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM); served on Victorian Branch committee (1996-2014); elevated to Fellowship status (FASM) in 2020. Member of the Australian Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (ACEDD); appointed to the ACEDD Executive Committee in 2020.